Cubs notebook: Brenly won’t cover Cubs-Diamondbacks series

Sunday

Sep 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 30, 2007 at 4:17 AM

Bob Brenly, who has been the Cubs’ television analyst for the past three seasons and managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series title in 2001, has been informed he will not be part of the TBS crew that will cover the Cubs vs. D-backs National League Division Series.

Jeff Vorva

Bob Brenly, who has been the Cubs’ television analyst for the past three seasons and managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series title in 2001, has been informed he will not be part of the TBS crew that will cover the Cubs vs. D-backs National League Division Series.

“Things could change as the (day) moves on,” Brenly said late Sunday afternoon. “Right now, I’m doing the Indians-Yankees series. I won’t get a chance to join up with the Cubs again until the NLCS, if it works out that way.

“It’s changed three times already, and it could change again. But the last I heard, they were going to send me to Cleveland.”

It was a blow for someone who has close ties to both the Cubs and D-backs.

“I’m not a little disappointed, I’m a lot disappointed,” he said. “But I’m not ever disappointed to be doing postseason because it’s always exciting. But I know the Diamondbacks so well and certainly I know the Cubs so well. It would have been a lot of fun to do that series knowing the history of the two teams as well as I do.”

Soto vs. Kendall

OK, it’s not as hot of a topic as Griese vs. Grossman, but the Cubs continue to have a mild controversy at the catching position.

Do the Cubs go with the experienced Jason Kendall or hot rookie Geovany Soto in the playoffs? Both might see significant playing time.

“It will depend on the team we play and the speed of the team,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “I think Soto caught most of our starters. He also caught them in spring training. He’s done a nice job. He’s a confident kid. He swings the bat.”

Arizona is a team with speed, so the stronger-armed rookie could get some starts.

“It’s been an amazing month,” said Soto, who hit .389 and threw out three out of 11 would-be base-stealers. “I’m pretty excited. Whatever Lou decides, I’m fine with it, and if I play, I’ll give it 110 percent.”

Mets turn to ‘Mutts’

The Cubs watched the New York Mets drop their final game of the season Sunday against Florida, which assured the Cubs would be playing Arizona in the NLDS.

Cliff Floyd, who played in the postseason with the Mets in 2006, shook his head while watching the ninth inning of the Mets’ 8-1 loss to Florida.

“I’m shocked,” he said. “They had a 7 1/2-game lead on Sept. 12. That’s tough to swallow. And the offseason doesn’t look too good. Whew.”

Some New York tabloids have referred to the Mets as the “Mutts.” It might not get kinder in today’s papers or on the air.

“(Today) you ear-plug it up and don’t turn on the TV,” Floyd said. “You ride it out.”

Parting ways

Rookies Sam Fuld and Sean Gallagher will participate in the Arizona Fall League and will not be with the Cubs during the postseason. Left-hander Carmen Pignatiello, a former Providence Catholic High School standout, also will be sent home. All three are eligible to be added to the postseason roster if there are injuries.